Modular chair

Abstract

A modular furniture seat assembly comprises a seating portion having a front end, a rear end, a pair of opposing side edges, and a seating connector component on each of the opposing side edges. A back portion is provided and has a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of opposing side edges. The lower end of the back portion connects to the rear end of the seating portion. A pair of lateral support arm assemblies is provided, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, with each of the pair of lateral support arm assemblies having a first arm connector component which is releasably connectable to the seating connector component. The lateral support arm assemblies comprise an armrest portion and a leg portion, with the leg portion supporting the modular furniture seating item when it is an assembled condition.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular furniture seat assembly comprising:
 a seating portion having a front end, a rear end, a pair of opposing side edges; 
 a back portion having a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of opposing side edges, wherein the lower end of the back portion connects to the rear end of the seating portion and is pivotable relative to the seating portion such that the back portion can be selectively and angularly positioned relative to the seating portion between a reclining position and an upright position; 
 an extender frame portion having a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of opposing side edges, wherein the lower end of the extender frame portion connects to the rear end of the seating portion in a fixed manner, wherein the position of the upper end or the opposing side edges of the back portion substantially correspond with the upper end or the opposing side edges of the extender frame portion when the back portion is in the reclining position so that the back portion overlies the extender frame portion;
 and 
 
 a pair of lateral support arm assemblies having an inner surface and an outer surface, each of the pair of lateral support arm assemblies having a first arm releasably connectable to the seating portion and a second arm releasably connectable to the extender frame portion, the lateral support arm assemblies further comprising an armrest portion and at least one leg portion, the leg portion supporting the modular furniture seating item when it is an assembled condition. 
 
     
     
       2. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a pivot member for connecting the lower end of the back portion to rear end of the seating portion. 
     
     
       3. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein pivot member is a releasable pivot member. 
     
     
       4. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a support bracket positioned between the extender frame portion and the back portion to support the back portion, the support bracket being movable between a plurality of selected positions to support the back portion in an orientation and at an angle relative to the seating portion. 
     
     
       5. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the support bracket is pivotally fixed at one end to the back portion so that it can be moved to a storage position against the back portion when not required for supporting the back portion. 
     
     
       6. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the extender frame portion has a plurality of spaced lock members for receiving an end of the support bracket, such that the back portion is differently angled relative to the seating portion depending upon the lock member which receives the end of the support bracket. 
     
     
       7. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a foot portion having a front end and a remote end, the front end of the foot portion connecting to the front end of the seating portion in a releasable manner and such that the foot portion can be rotated relative to the seating portion to selectively adjust the orientation thereof relative to the seating portion. 
     
     
       8. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a foot portion support leg foldable between a stowaway position against the foot portion and an extended position wherein it provides support to the foot portion at or near its remote end. 
     
     
       9. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the foot portion support is adjustable so as to hold the foot portion in a selected position. 
     
     
       10. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the seating portion, back portion and lateral support arm assemblies may be disassembled and compactly placed in a customized container for storage and transportation. 
     
     
       11. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the leg portions of the lateral support arm assembly have leg ends which are configured to keep the furniture seat assembly stable on different types and smoothness surfaces. 
     
     
       12. A modular furniture seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each lateral arm support comprises a generally linear front portion having a leg end and an upper end, and a curved rear portion having a leg end and an upper end, the upper ends of the front portion and the curved portion respectively being attached to each other. 
     
     
       13. A method of constructing a modular furniture seat assembly comprising:
 providing a seating portion having a front end, a rear end, a pair of opposing side edges; 
 providing a back portion having a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of opposing side edges, connecting the lower end of the back portion to the rear end of the seating portion so as to be pivotable relative to the seating portion such that the back portion can be selectively and angularly positioned relative to the seating portion between a reclining position and an upright position; 
 providing an extender frame portion having a lower end, an upper end, and a pair of opposing side edges, connecting the lower end of the extender frame portion to the rear end of the seating portion in a fixed manner, wherein the position of the upper end or the opposing side edges of the back portion substantially correspond with the upper end or the opposing side edges of the extender frame portion when the back portion is in the reclining position so that the back portion overlies the extender frame portion;
 and 
 
 attaching releasably a pair of lateral support arm assemblies having an inner surface and an outer surface, each of the pair of lateral support arm assemblies having a first arm releasably connectable to the seating portion and a second arm releasably connectable to the extender frame portion, the lateral support arm assemblies further comprising an armrest portion and at least one a leg portion, the leg portion supporting the modular furniture seating item when it is an assembled condition. 
 
     
     
       14. A method as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising the step of adding an extender frame to the rear end of the seating portion and extending away therefrom to provide additional support for the back portion. 
     
     
       15. A method as claimed in  claim 14  further comprising the step of adding a second arm connector to the lateral support arm assembly and a second seating connector to the seating portion or the extender frame, and connecting to each other the second arm connector and the second seating connector.